Although I often refer to Alfie as my canine companion or partner, it is only a familiar term and not by qualification. In our latest mission to find out about working dogs, we were to meet a genuine Canine Partner, who has earned the title through two years of dedicated training.
As I drove up to Diana Singleton’s house near Froggatt, I passed the long lawn which was laid out as a playground with see-saw, jumps, plastic tunnel and assault course, not for children I might add, but for Ilya her canine companion to have some fun and exercise.
Diana retired through ill health some ten years ago, and having been an extremely outgoing and energetic person, the outlook looked somewhat bleak. However, Diana is not the sort of person to hide away and feel sorry for herself and looked for ways to improve her quality of life. It was at a Disability Roadshow that she was to first hear of the wonderful Canine Partners charity that was to transform her life and give her back some independence, responsibility and years of fulfilment.
Diana joined the charity’s waiting list and was eventually considered as a suitable candidate. There then followed several day trips to their headquarters where she was assessed and allowed to meet dogs undergoing training, followed by a two week residential stay to find a suitable companion. Diana had to be taught all the commands and instructions she would need, and worked with several dogs until one day a trainer noticed that there was something special between her and Ilya; a natural bond had formed between them. This is how the charity prefers to establish a partnership between the handler and dog. In effect the dog decides who he/she wants to be with.
Ilya is a labradoodle, a name that aptly describes the highly intelligent bundle of fun that bounded to the door to greet us. His dad was a pure white standard poodle with pom-pom trimmings, while his mum was a black labrador with a little bit of collie thrown in for good measure. With all those genes, how could Ilya be anything but the clever, loving and devoted dog that he is!
His name is not taken from the character in ’The Man from Uncle’ or nasty Nastase of Wimbledon fame, but was given to him by his puppy walker who was hosting a group of children on holiday from Chernobyl, and thought it would be a fitting recognition of the Russian charity organiser involved with their stay.
Canine Partners begin training as very young puppies which are either donated, bought by the charity or are puppies from their own breeding programme. The pedigree or cross bred puppies are generally labradors, retrievers or poodles, selected after a few simple tests to determine if they have enough potential and the right characteristics to qualify.
The first year is spent with puppy parents and foster families who encourage and motivate the young dogs in basic skills and commands, rewarded with lots of praise and a few treats. Good behaviour is recognised and bad behaviour is ignored. Each dog is treated as an individual. The dog then goes to kennels, starts advanced training, and begins to work with actual disabled persons, until eventually a specific partnership is formed. After the dog is taken to its new home, regular follow-up visits are made by the Aftercare Assistants to monitor and assess both handler and dog, with progress reports and medical checks being a requirement.
The dogs are taught over 100 different commands and actions, not only to assist their disabled partner, but in certain circumstances they can actually save lives. Ilya can open and close doors and gates, retrieve the post and newspapers, pick up items that Diana has dropped, empty the washing machine, fetch and deliver things, press switches, bark in an emergency, help Diana to take off her coat, hat, scarf, socks etc, and even shop in the supermarket by picking items up and putting them in her basket, then hand Diana’s purse to the assistant. All these actions are taken for granted until you become disabled when simple chores become major tasks.
Ilya has become Diana’s lifeline, her guardian angel, providing practical and emotional support, and bringing a little fun back into her life. By having him around it has broadened Diana’s horizons in many ways, and at the same time has brought relief to her family. With Ilya she regained the confidence to venture out alone and can regularly be seen popping to the local shop or following the riverside path on her mobility scooter with Ilya trotting alongbeside. On Sundays he accompanies Diana to church and has even received a blessing from the vicar.
Diana has owned pet dogs all her life, but is quick to point out that Ilya is something special. He has brought a new dimension to her life and taken her down a different road with friends, acquaintances and interests that have all come about as a direct result of her partnership with this remarkable dog.
Diana’s daughter Kate has noticed such a difference since Ilya arrived. She feels that her mum is more secure and now enjoys life to the full. Being an additional carer and companion also takes some of the strain from Diana’s husband Keith. The social, psychological and physical benefits of a Canine Partner to all the family are overwhelming.
Diana is keen to repay the charity for the new life Ilya has brought her through fund raising and talks. She is like an ambassador generating awareness for the charity. She raises money by selling home-made cards and bookmarks, arranging coffee mornings and stalls at local events and is popular as a speaker for the WI, Cub Scouts and other Associations.
Diana had to pay a token contribution of £1 to Canine Partners for Ilya, although she considers his value to be priceless. She is now responsible for all his costs, but knows that he is only on loan. If a disabled person should die or become unable to cope with their dog, it would probably be taken back and allocated to somebody else. At the end of the dog’s working life, a decision has to be made as to whether it stays with its partner or is placed with a host family for retirement.
Ilya is a working Canine Partner and not a pet as such, but as Diana points out, he is not a robot or obedience champion. Like any dog he has his bad habits and unusual traits. Ilya likes to unwrap presents and loves Christmas, but it has been known for him to get carried away under the Christmas tree before the big day arrives, and he is a real nosey parker, taking an interest in everything going off around him. Being able to open cupboard doors can sometimes get him in trouble though, like the time he polished off a whole box of cereal by himself. On the odd occasion he has also been known to sneak food off the worktop, but he is an extremely tidy thief and excelled himself the time he left behind the wrapping of a fruit cake and cherry off the top without any other mess or crumbs!
Being extremely intelligent it is essential that Ilya does not become bored, so Diana takes him to agility classes where he socializes with other dogs and has a great time on the assault course. Diana also enjoys being able to compete with the other able-bodied dog owners on equal terms, although she has to rely on verbal commands more than body language.
After a lovely chat and a cup of tea Diana, Kate and I let Alfie and Ilya loose for a romp in the garden. They had become instant friends and dashed about among the shrubs and borders with much frenzied tail wagging.
The Canine Partners charity is self-funding with no government support, although they did receive a recent donation from the lottery commission to help build their new training centre. Their new headquarters in West Sussex are set in an old stable block, and although the administration rooms have been established, it is hoped that a kennel block can be built in the near future. With each dog costing around £20,000 to train and administer through its career, fund-raising and donations are an important issue. If you feel you may be able to help, or you would like further information on the charity, you can either write to Canine Partners, Mill Lane, Heyshott, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0ED or visit the website on www.caninepartners.co.uk